What we gain in Translation
At the start of this new year I set myself the challenge of reading more translated literature. I wanted to be more conscious of the literature I was consuming and choose works of fiction that span languages and cultures as well as genres.
For many book lovers around the world, reading translated literature is nothing new. Large numbers of well-known English language books are printed in an array of foreign languages and shipped globally. However, the dominance of anglophone literature means that the translation of foreign language literature into English or other foreign languages is often more limited. This restriction on whose stories are shared across borders means that, especially as native English speakers, we’re often not reading as widely as we think we are. Fortunately, we don’t have to learn every global language in order to enjoy the breadth of literature that the world has to offer.
However, reading translated literature isn’t without complications. A literary text is often rooted in its own culture with nuances of language, tone, and historical context that can’t always be translated easily. As readers it’s important to recognise that the intent of the author and that of the translator may not always be entirely harmonious. But for me this is one of the most fascinating aspects of translation: that from a single work of fiction, many new interpretations can emerge.
Different countries and cultures have different approaches to storytelling which involve varying styles and techniques. As a result, reading translated works of fiction is a formative experience that will broaden your grasp on what literature is and can be.
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Magic and wonder
For example, Latin American literature is often characterised by mysticism and wonder with one key style being magical realism. Politically charged and experimental in form, Latin American literature often uses myth and surrealism to explore colonial trauma and social injustice. Arabic literature, by comparison, is romantic in tone with its allegorical tales, layered meaning, and poeticism. This linguistic richness is shaped by the complex nature of the Arabic language itself, but also the strong cultural and religious influence. In contrast, Japanese literature, one of the most popularly translated languages in recent years, is subtle and restrained. Readers find themselves absorbed in comforting stories about ordinary lives told through a nostalgic and philosophical lens. The result is a dreamlike quality to the writing where the ordinary is made fantastical. While Arabic literature values eloquence and lyricism, Latin American writing leans into mysticism, and Japanese literature finds depth in silence and emotional landscapes. Even when read in translation, the voices of these storytellers are clear, definitive, and unique from one another.
The act of translation is ultimately generous and inclusive. It stretches across overwhelming divides, sharing and enriching our perspectives of the world around us. By inviting translated works onto our bookshelves, we not only support international authors and the art of translation itself, but also create a more compassionate, curious, and connected community of readers - one we should all strive to be a part of.
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